I'd originally planned to bring LaVar Burton's Reading Rainbow Kickstarter to your attention in this weekend's Indie Spotlight, but the project has absolutely taken off already.  Initially setting a $1 million goal, the crowd-funded campaign has already exceeded $3 million in just a few days, and has now set a $5 million goal.  The aim is to bring the long-running and award-winning literacy program into the digital generation, expanding their reach through the Reading Rainbow app, with an increased presence on the web, television, gaming devices, and into disadvantaged classrooms.  Hit the jump to see how you can help.

Thankfully we've got programs like Reading Rainbow (and contributions from viewers like you) to pick up the slack where our nation's schools continue to fail.  Head on over to Burton's Reading Rainbow Kickstarter page to donate, visit the program's website, and watch his campaign video below (make sure to stick around til the very end):

Hi. LeVar Burton here. You may know me as Kunta Kinte, from ROOTS, or Geordi La Forge, from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

You also may have grown up with me on Reading Rainbow.

It was my mother who taught me that, by picking up a book, I could "go anywhere" and "be anything." Ever since Reading Rainbow began in 1983, I have dedicated myself to fostering a love of reading in children, just as my mother did for me.

Over the past year, I have watched Kickstarter bring communities together to support artists and inventors. Again and again, I have been inspired by watching like-minded people team up to accomplish impossible dreams, and to change the world.

Now, I am hoping you will join me on my mission: to bring Reading Rainbow back for every child, everywhere.

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